Thread: Oxidation or Mildew?

A few of my rods got left on the porch all week, all the heat, humidity and rain, all week.
So I get home yesterday and notice that two of the rods have a white chalky, powdery looking blemishes on or under the clear coat of the guide wraps.
It doesn't wipe off, seem to mark or scratch with a fingernail, but comes back quickly.

Is this mildew or some sort of oxidation?
How can I get rid of it, any suggestions?

Pics are worth a thousand words.

I'd like to know myself what it is, i finally went bass fishing today for the first time since last year, and the zippers on my bag had that stuff on them, was a struggle just to break the zippers free and get them to open

do you treat your rods with wd-40 or some other type of solvent? to me it sounds like moisture has gotten underneath the epoxy covering the wraps. some time in the sun would probably take care of the issue.

I feel like the epoxy absorbs moisture. I first had this happen when I got some free rods that were dirty. I steamed them in shower for 10 min and they were ruined. Another original Allstar bass rod was left overnight in rain. It took multiple days in sun drying to clear white off the guide epoxy. If i fish in the rain all day with my king rod it spots up and goes away.

I believe I would try putting them in a hot car in the sun with windows up to dry them out.

Just let them sit in direct sunlight for awhile, let the warmth of the Sun and the UV rays do there thing.

Best way to do it is on the pier in a rod holder on your cart, So tell your wife you have to go to the pier the save your rod's from being totally ruined,

Thanks for the replies guys.
Setting them out in direct sunlight, so far that was the first thing I tried.

It does seem like moisture under the wrap gel coat.
I don't see any cracking at the guide feet or in the finish, but sure as hell it has gotten under all the wraps.

Gonna try a blow dryer, and careful not to cook the finish.

I agree w/Jason, try the dry heat treatment or maybe a little white vinegar/scotch pad treatment. If it is under the top coat, may require sanding and recoating.

If that doesn't work, deem them worthless and ship to me, I will pay postage.

Originally Posted by j. gravy

do you treat your rods with wd-40 or some other type of solvent? to me it sounds like moisture has gotten underneath the epoxy covering the wraps. some time in the sun would probably take care of the issue.

No, nothing but a freshwater hose down after fishing saltwater, maybe some CorrosionX on key points of the reel.